Make a Smooth Transition to Green Energy With These Florida Solar Companies

Final Verdict

Floridians have no shortage of choices when it comes to choosing a solar company. There are national brands like Elevation, SunPower, Momentum, and Palmetto that all serve Florida, which may save you money thanks to each brands’ financing and loan options. Florida also has its share of experienced, local solar companies like Sunlight Solar, Solar Source, or Solar Direct, that might offer better customer experience as these companies know how to navigate the state’s solar incentives, codes, and regulations.

However, SunVena stood out to us for its high-quality, professional approach to installing solar systems. This local Florida company does all of its work in-house, whether you’re installing a few panels, or an entire solar rooftop. Additionally, if your new solar system doesn’t produce the promised amount of energy, the company promises to give you the difference in cash, further giving Florida residents peace of mind with their solar purchase.

Compare the Best Solar Companies in Florida

Benefits of Going Solar

• Save money: Florida residents currently spend on average $1,560 per year on electricity. Over 25 years, that’s $39,000–assuming the unlikely scenario that electricity costs don’t rise in the future. An average-sized solar system of six kilowatts costs an estimated $10,823, after a federal tax credit. That’s a savings of over $28,000, money that could be well-spent elsewhere.
• Keep your lights on: With an adequate battery backup that can store excess electricity that your panels produce, you can keep your house running when grid power goes out. 
• Lower your carbon footprint: If you’re an average homeowner and use 11,000 kWh of electricity per year, getting that same level of energy from your solar panels is the clean equivalent of 8,625 pounds of coal burned, 19,350 miles driven each year, or 7.8 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
• Protect your roof: As long as your panels are properly installed, they will not damage your roof. Moreover, your panels protect your roof from the weather, falling debris, and the sun’s harsh rays.
• Cool your house: Because air circulates between your panels and roof, your roof, and therefore your home, stay cooler. Solar panels have been shown to reduce the temperature inside a home, which means a more comfortable home and lower electricity usage during hot weather.

How to Choose a Solar Company in Florida

With so many solar installers in Florida, choosing the right one for you can be challenging. To help you come to the right decision, consider the following factors when picking a solar company to handle your installation.

Legitimacy

There are many legitimate solar companies that do offer “free solar,” in the sense that they will install solar panels on your roof for free. You then either lease the panels, or agree to purchase the power from them in a long-duration contract, usually 25 years. According to the Better Business Bureau, however, Floridians are falling victim to people pretending to offer such an arrangement but are really just after your credit and banking information. If you’re interested in “free solar,” ask a legitimate company if they offer leases or power purchase agreements.

Warranty Periods

Warranties on equipment come from the manufacturer and are relatively standard—usually 25 years on solar panels and at least 10 years on batteries and inverters. What may vary is the performance warranty, which guarantees that your panels will produce a certain percentage (usually 90% or more) of the original power output after 25 years. Make sure that your installer is willing to offer you at least 10 years on labor, workmanship, and protection from roof leaks.

Heat Limit

Solar panels are more efficient in cooler weather than warm weather, so it’s important for Floridians to check the “temperature coefficient” of the panels being installed. The temperature coefficient lists the percentage lost in efficiency for each degree above 77°F. Look for companies that sell panels that can withstand high heat.

Nationwide or Local

The Florida solar market is big, so there are many solid local companies competing with larger national companies. Some national companies subcontract with local installers, which may complicate communications and lead to delays. Local companies may have a better understanding of Florida regulations and have better relations with municipal authorities and utilities. However, their smaller size may mean they can’t offer more competitive financing options.

Credentials

Solar installers need electrical and engineering certifications from local or state authorities, as well as workplace insurance. For your own protection, be sure to ask about such credentials. This can easily be done with a customer service call or checking the company’s site.

Quotes

Installing a solar system is likely to be one of the largest expenses you’ll ever make on your home. Shop around for the best installer: You can use a quote aggregator like EnergySage, or merely obtain multiple bids on your own. Let each installer know that you’re getting multiple quotes, as this may result in price adjustments if a company is looking to have you as a client.

How Much Do Solar Products Cost in Florida?

Since every rooftop solar installation is different, solar installers rarely list the cost of an installation on their websites. A couple of factors that impact the cost of solar installation include the configuration of your roof, the amount of panels needed to power your home, and local labor costs just to name a few. General estimates, however, can give you a sense of what your system may cost.

Does Florida Have Any Solar Tax Incentives?

30 percent federal tax credit is available to Florida homeowners, but unlike many states, Florida has no statewide solar tax incentives. Solar panel sales are exempt from Florida’s 6 percent sales tax and property assessment, so a homeowner won’t see their property taxes rise just because they installed solar.

Florida’s net metering program requires utility companies to give solar customers credit for any excess power their system sends into the grid. Within Florida, local communities and utilities can provide other financial benefits. For example, the City of Tallahassee Utilities offers 10-year loans up to $20,000 to pay for solar installations. You can search for other Florida rebates and tax incentives at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE).

Methodology

We determined the best solar companies in Florida by collecting data points based on an extensive set of criteria, ranging from financing options to warranties. Several Florida-based and national companies were reviewed and rated in the following categories:

• Coverage locations
• Financing options
• Warranty periods
• Installation cost
• Solar product variety
• Company reputation
• Years of experience
• Customer service accessibility

Solar companies that offered a variety of financing options, excelled in customer service, and provided a range of quality products were awarded extra points during the scoring phase. Companies that did not have a presence in Florida were not evaluated.